The Salisbury metro is home to 128,802 people (down 67.7% over five years), with a median household income of $69,592. Typical rent of $1,947/month works out to 33.6% of the median household income — above the 30% affordability threshold, a strain signal (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Salisbury's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 28.1% |
| Retail trade | 11.7% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 11.1% |
| Manufacturing | 9.8% |
| Professional & management | 7.8% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 33.6% of median income leave little headroom — expect tenant price sensitivity. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Salisbury market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,947/month suggests a household income around $78,000/year. The metro's median household income is $69,592.
By workforce share: Education & health care (28.1%), Retail trade (11.7%), Arts, food & hospitality (11.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).